Congress passes bill regulating textbook cost
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: News
Esther Hoffman
Reporter
Buying textbooks is a hassle most have experienced in college. Books for general education classes are particularly expensive. A used Art Appreciation book costs more than $100. Many students have financial aid or scholarships to lessen the burden of textbook expenses, but students who are paying out of pocket for their education are forced to work more to afford textbooks.
In some states, the average college student spends about $1,100 on textbooks each year, according to the Washington Post online.
There are ways Butler students can get books cheaper, like buying from alternate sources, or buying used books from the Butler Bookstore. Sometimes though, used books are still more than half the price of the new books and going online for books is risky, because you might buy the wrong book.
Melissa Elliott, Nursing Instructor, said that many times the textbooks are so expensive because they cost so much to make. Writers spend years researching, and Publishers spend quite a lot on full color books. Many times, there is a price hike because a CD resource comes bundled with it.
This is not an excuse though, she said; publishers can cut costs by printing in paperback, or using less expensive coloring processes.
"Our Anatomy & Physiology textbook costs $200-I think that's nuts!," said Elliott
So, it may come as a relief to many that Congress is starting to do something about the price of textbooks.
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act, passed by the House of Congress on Feb. 7, will make sure that the cost of college textbooks is lowered, and will provide several ways (such as websites to compare prices) of making sure that students do not pay more than they should.
Several Butler students were asked what they thought about the prices of textbooks and how much the new bill will help.
Some students find the buyback prices unreasonable.
"What is ridiculous is the price we get paid for selling them back," Jessica Basore, Wichita sophomore.
Reporter
Buying textbooks is a hassle most have experienced in college. Books for general education classes are particularly expensive. A used Art Appreciation book costs more than $100. Many students have financial aid or scholarships to lessen the burden of textbook expenses, but students who are paying out of pocket for their education are forced to work more to afford textbooks.
In some states, the average college student spends about $1,100 on textbooks each year, according to the Washington Post online.
There are ways Butler students can get books cheaper, like buying from alternate sources, or buying used books from the Butler Bookstore. Sometimes though, used books are still more than half the price of the new books and going online for books is risky, because you might buy the wrong book.
Melissa Elliott, Nursing Instructor, said that many times the textbooks are so expensive because they cost so much to make. Writers spend years researching, and Publishers spend quite a lot on full color books. Many times, there is a price hike because a CD resource comes bundled with it.
This is not an excuse though, she said; publishers can cut costs by printing in paperback, or using less expensive coloring processes.
"Our Anatomy & Physiology textbook costs $200-I think that's nuts!," said Elliott
So, it may come as a relief to many that Congress is starting to do something about the price of textbooks.
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act, passed by the House of Congress on Feb. 7, will make sure that the cost of college textbooks is lowered, and will provide several ways (such as websites to compare prices) of making sure that students do not pay more than they should.
Several Butler students were asked what they thought about the prices of textbooks and how much the new bill will help.
Some students find the buyback prices unreasonable.
"What is ridiculous is the price we get paid for selling them back," Jessica Basore, Wichita sophomore.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Kathleen
posted 2/28/08 @ 3:49 PM CST
I used to spend over 600 dollars on my history books alone now I buy my textbooks online using www.cheapesttextbooks.com I only paid 150 this semester!
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